Read Online Hollow Earth by John Barrowman, Carole E. Barrowman - Free Book Online Page A

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    ‘Because an Animare may be a danger to others or themselves,’ continued their grandfather, ‘and because if the world knew of an Animare’s existence it could pose a threat to everyone, an ancient guild of men and women with their own set of powers exists to protect the Animare. I am one of them. We are called Guardians, and some of us are more powerful than others. The most powerful Guardians make up Councils, who keep things in order. Our sacred, sworn responsibility is twofold: to prevent the world from knowing about Animare and Guardians, and to protect the Animare and Guardians from the world.’ He paused, leaning forward on the rockface. ‘There are five Councils in the world, each monitoring, and if necessary containing, our kind.’
    ‘How?’ asked Matt, digging the toe of his trainer deeper into the dirt.
    ‘Well, first of all,’ said Renard, ‘a Guardian has what’s called “inspiriting” powers, a range of psychic abilities that allow him to manipulate an Animare’s imagination.’
    I don’t like the sound of that! Matt kicked a cloud of dirt into the air.
    Pay attention. Em gave Matt a withering look. He crossed his arms.
    See? I inspirited you.
    Get out of my head, Em.
    The twins turned to their grandfather, realizing he’d stopped talking, as if he knew they’d been communicating telepathically to each other.
    ‘Sorry,’ said Em, sheepishly.
    Renard continued without comment. ‘Secondly, every Animare has their own Guardian, a protector assigned to him or her. This happens at a special ceremony in front of the Council.’
    ‘Do we pick our Guardian?’ asked Em, taking off her sweatshirt and tying it round her waist.
    ‘Sometimes,’ said Renard, ‘but usually your Guardian is someone who has developed a special connection to you.’
    ‘Like you love them?’ asked Em.
    Matt squirmed.
    ‘More like the way you and Matt are connected to each other because you’re twins. A Guardian and their Animare have a psychic connection to each other’s minds and imaginations. For example, Mara is an Animare, and Simon is her Guardian.’
    ‘Does that mean Zach is becoming a Guardian?’ asked Em, while at exactly the same time, Matt asked, ‘Who is my mum’s Guardian?’
    Laughing, Renard put his hands in the air in surrender. ‘One question at a time, please. I may have a great mind, but it can get overloaded. Yes, Em – Zach is becoming a Guardian. Our powers are hereditary.’ He turned to Matt. ‘And your dad was … is your mum’s Guardian.’
    Again, Em was not surprised by how natural all this strange information felt.
    ‘So do we have Guardians yet?’ she asked, finding the whole idea of a special connection to another person incredibly romantic.
    ‘Normally the Council formally approves or assigns the Guardian when an Animare turns sixteen. So no, you don’t have Guardians yet, and your Guardian needs to be at least sixteen, too.’
    Renard paused for a second, staring out at the deep, blue water of the bay, realizing once again how complicated his son and Sandie had made things by having children. The Fourth Rule was there for a reason. A mix of Animare and Guardian powers was … dangerous.
    ‘The Council has never seen the likes of you two,’ Renard continued, ‘so we may have to help them decide about your Guardians when the time comes.’
    ‘So have we inherited powers from our mum and our dad?’ Matt asked.
    He was more fascinated by this information than a discussion of any future Guardian. At last an adult was treating him like a person and not a child.
    His grandfather nodded.
    ‘Are we the first Animare also to be Guardians?’ continued Matt, staring into his grandfather’s eyes.
    ‘I know of no others.’
    Matt held his grandfather’s stare for a long time. ‘You’re not telling us everything,’ he said, standing up.
    Matt, don’t be a jerk .
    Renard smiled at his grandson. ‘I’m not ready to tell you everything, Matt, because you’re not